08 August 2004	Sunday	21 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

MUZAFFARABAD, Aug 7: An ad hoc civil judge in Azad Kashmir was suspended on Saturday by the acting chief justice of the High Court Justice Riaz Akhtar Chaudhry for hurting his colleague.

According to a court order, Mohammad Yousaf Haroon, ad hoc civil judge Thorar (district Poonch), was suspended and directed to report to the high court in the light of a preliminary report submitted by district and sessions judge Rawalakot Bashir Mughal.

The judge who was employed one year ago and had been recently given extension for another six months had beaten and wounded a court official in the retiring room after Friday prayers.

A protest demonstration was also held in Thorar on Friday during which local leaders, bar members and traders condemned the attitude of the civil judge and called for his immediate suspension or transfer.